WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.
State Senator Peter Harckham (above) and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins comment on pop-up vaccination sites as answers to Westchester stubborn Covid rate of infection ( running 384 a day new Covid case from March 11 to March 17)
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS NEWS. From State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Office. March 21, 2021:
On Saturday, a COVID-19 vaccine pop-up site opened in Sleepy Hollow. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and fellow State lawmakers Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti toured the site, offering the vaccine to people 60 years of age and older and teachers in Westchester County.
(Editor’s Note: Since March 2, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have averaged 13 new Coronavirus infectins a day, 190 through March 15)
The vaccine site was made possible by the hard work of the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow who secured a partnership with Rite Aid to provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents. The villages also coordinated with the Tarrytown School District to secure a site location.
About 650 eligible residents were able to book an appointment in advance. Pop-up sites like this are part of a growing effort to make the vaccine more accessible to Westchester’s most vulnerable populations. . Residents will be able to receive a second dose scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (second from left, front) State Senator Peter Harckham, in cap to her right, Westchester County Executive George Latimer upper left corner at the Sleepy Hollow High School Pop-up vaccination center Saturday.
In last week’s newsletter (which you can view here), I explained the basic process for adoption of the NYS budget. On Monday, March 14, the Assembly passed the “Assembly One House Budget”, which is the Assembly’s response to the Governor’s budget proposal. The State Senate also adopted its “Senate One House Budget”. While there are not gaping differences between the two proposals, the two chambers are now coming together in budget conferences to develop a single budget response to the Governor’s proposal. As a new member, I was honored to be appointed to one of the conference committees.
The Assembly One House Budget makes historic investments in health care, housing, education, higher education and local governments, and includes funding for critical transportation projects, small businesses, environmental protection, people with disabilities, veterans and more.
The Assembly also passed important legislation this week to modify the practice of solitary confinement in our prison system, as well as to expand the number and accessibility of Veterans Treatment Courts.
2021-2022 Budget Update
The recently-adopted American Rescue Plan provides significant pandemic relief funding to New York, at all levels of government (we are very grateful to New York’s Democratic Congressional Delegation – most especially Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – for fighting to make this happen). At the same time, economists have revised upward the state’s revenue projections, due in large part to New York’s economy pulling out of the recession faster than anticipated (although we still have a ways to go).
These two critical developments explain, at least in part, why the NYS legislature feels it is prudent and responsible to propose higher spending levels than the Governor proposed. And it is also for these reasons that the Assembly and State Senate proposals do not include most of the funding cuts sought by the Governor in his budget.
Highlights of the Assembly One House budget:
$208.3 billion spending plan, which is $15.6 billion or 8.1% over the 2020-21 budget adopted during the onset of the pandemic-induced recession. The higher budget levels are critical to helping our communities recover and restart New York’s economy.
The proposal would increase the top personal income tax rate from 8.82% to 9.85% for single filers earning more than $1 million and couples earning more than $2 million. It would also establish two new brackets: 10.85% for taxpayers between $5 million and $25 million and 11.85% for taxpayers over $25 million.
Continuing the phase-in of the ongoing middle-class tax cuts, which the Governor had proposed discontinuing. Under these reforms, when fully phased-in, these rates will be the State’s lowest middle-class tax rates in more than 70 years.
Significant investments in our schools, including a $1.4 billion increase in Foundation Aid (the largest unrestricted aid category supporting public school district expenditures). The budget also includes $10 million for homeless students and $10 million to support mental health in schools.
$18.6 billion in higher education, including increased funding for opportunity programs. The budget also rejects proposed tuition increases for SUNY and CUNY.
Significant investments in environmental protection, including$400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (which includes $100 million in anticipated federal funding) and $500 million for clean water infrastructure projects.
$94.2 million for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to create new service slots, including an expansion of certified housing supports, community habilitation, respite services, housing subsidies, self-direction of services and an expansion of day programs and employment options.
$20.84 million for veterans programs, an increase of $1.19 million over the Governor’s proposal. This budget restores funding to critical programs that help veterans receive their benefits, smoothly transition into civilian life, and improve their mental health during these unprecedented times.
$1.8 billion in federal funds for expanded access to childcare. The plan also includes $500 million for additional state funds to support childcare providers and families, and expand eligibility and access to subsidies.
$100 million in funding for an Arts Recovery and Revitalization Program.
Once the Conference Committees finish their work, and an updated budget is reported back to both chambers, additional negotiations will then take place with the Governor. A final budget must be voted on by March 31.
I will keep you posted on the progress of the budget. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the information above – or about any budget-related issues not mentioned above (as these were the highlights) – please don’t hesitate to reach out.
INSTANT WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE LATIMER STATEMENT WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS (CLICK ON THE WHITE ARROW ABOVESCHOOL DAYS BEGIN MONDAY FOR 3 GRADES IN SCHOOL!THE CITY’S BIG BUY EAST POST ROAD MYSTERY DEVELOPMENTTHE CRACKDOWN ON RACIAL CRIMESJOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS DEBORAH NOVICK ON THE ALL-NEW, BIGGER, BETTER TIMELY WESTCHESTER COUNTY INCUBATOR PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW IN THE RECOVERY
PLUS GEORGE LATIMER’S COVID PROGRESS — 40% FULLY VACCINATED BY END OF MONTH
THE MOST INFECTED COVID TOWNS AND CITIES
THE DANGEROUS POSITIVITY RATE
AND MORE WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. MARCH 18, 2021:
New Yorkers loves to root for the home team, and it was especially difficult to see great professional sports teams close to fans in stands as we implemented restrictions necessary to protect public health.
Today I am pleased to announce that baseball is coming back to New York and fans will be able to attend games in-person. On April 1, the New York Mets and New York Yankees can resume playing with spectators in the stadiums.
Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings. Vaccination efforts at both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will still continue during the MLB season.
Photo of the Day: New York baseball is coming back in April (Photos by Don Pollard) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,536. Of the 271,463 tests reported yesterday, 7,796, or 2.87 percent, were positive. There were 934 patients in ICU yesterday, down 20 from the previous day. Of them, 590 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 57 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 1pm THURSDAY morning, 24.0 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 146,518 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 7,150,352 total doses with 12.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Smaller, regional sports venues can also reopen beginning April 1. These are venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors and initial capacity will be limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.
4. Beginning March 29, statewide travel for sports and recreational activities will be permitted. Currently, travel for sports and recreation is limited to contiguous counties and regions in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidance.
5. Large outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20 percent capacity beginning April 1.
Venue capacity for concerts and other performing arts events will continue to increase as the public health situation improves with more New Yorkers receiving vaccinations and fewer COVID-19 cases in the community.
Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 18, 2021:
White Plains schools as previously reported will open for three grades of nine for full-time in school learning Monday.
Back to school will be Kinderegarteners at all five elementay Schools. Ninth graders and 12th Graders at the high school.
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Parents, guardians should all have received detailed instructions from their school principals on how the reopenings, busing details will work. If they have any questions parents should contract their childrens’ schools tomorrow to double check any concerns.
WPCNR URBAN RENEWAL REPORT.By John F. Bailey. March 18, 2021:
The Urban Renewal Agency approved the acquistion of 60 East Post road (the Firestone store) 42 East Post Road ( string of stores , and the former abandoned gas station, 26-28 East Post Road this morning, as discussed .in December, 2019.
The agency also approved $9,800,000 in Bond Anticipation notes to finance the three acquistions .
60 East Post Road, currently site of Firestone.42 East Post Road 26-28 East Post Road
The other 10 properties spotlighted for possible development by the Urban Renewal Agency in December, 2019 were:
23-225 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
1-3 East Post Road
2-4 East Post Road
34 East Post Road
22-24 East Post Road
18-20 East Post Road
14-16 East Post Road
12 East Poad Road
188-188 South Lexington Avenue
190-192 South Lexington Avenue
It is not determined at this time if all the remaining 10 properties named in 2019 are still under consideration.
In December of 2019, WPCNR wrote:
“The White Plains Urban Renewal Agency voted unanimously in city hall to consider eminent domain being used to acquire the 13 following properties on the North side of East Post Road from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to South Lexington Avenue for future unspecified projects yet to be determined. “
The future unspecified projects yet to be determined are still “undetermined.”
WPCNR HEALTH ALERT. From the New York State Department of Health. March 18, 2021:
State and County Health Departments Issue “DO NOT DRINK” Water Advisories for Two Westchester County Schools
New York State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation Launch Investigation to Identify Potential Sources of Contamination
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 17, 2021) –
The New York State Department of Health, in coordination with the Westchester County Health Department, recommended Wednesday “Do Not Drink” advisories for the Pequenakonck Elementary School in North Salem, New York and Meadow Pond Elementary in South Salem, NY.
The advisories, issued out of an abundance of caution, direct the school communities to stop using water for drinking, cooking and food preparation.
Bottled water is being provided by both schools and the State stands ready to assist the schools and the county where needed. Water continues to be acceptable for uses such as handwashing and various cleaning activities including washing dishes.
The “Do Not Drink” advisories were issued following the very recent discovery of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the schools’ water systems at levels above New York’s recently adopted, and highly protective, Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 10 parts per trillion, each, for PFOA and PFOS.
The standards require water systems of all sizes to test for these previously unregulated contaminants, notify consumers if the results exceed the standards, and take the appropriate actions to bring the water systems back into compliance.
The affected school districts are working closely with Westchester County Health Department and New York State agencies to collect additional samples and discuss long-term solutions to improve water quality. Additionally, the State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) are working to identify and address potential sources of contamination.
New York State agencies are also working with Westchester County and school administrators to provide additional information, answer questions, and conduct outreach to these school communities to ensure school families are notified.
Potential Health Effects of PFOA and PFOS
PFOA and PFOS are part of a group of man-made, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances found in a wide range of consumer products such as cookware, cleaning products, food packaging, stain repellants, and firefighting foam, among others. The available information on the health effects associated with PFOA and PFOS, like many chemicals, comes mostly from studies of high-level exposure in animals.
Less is known about the chances of health effects occurring from lower levels of exposure, such as from drinking the schools’ water. As a result, finding lower levels of chemicals in drinking water prompts water suppliers and regulators to take precautions that include notifying consumers and taking steps to reduce exposure.
High dose studies in animals indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause a wide range of health effects with the most consistent findings being effects on the liver and immune system and impaired fetal growth and development.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers PFOA and PFOS as having suggestive evidence for causing cancer based on studies of animals exposed to high levels of this chemical over their lifetimes. The NYS MCLs for these chemicals are highly protective against these health effects, but at levels well above the MCLs it is prudent to take interim “Do Not Drink” measures to reduce exposure at these schools.
In February 2016, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo created a Water Quality Rapid Response Team, led by DEC and DOH, to quickly investigate water contamination reports across New York and take corrective action to address these contamination issues.
This Water Quality Rapid Response Team has taken unprecedented action to investigate and clean up PFAS contamination and to ensure New Yorkers have access to clean water. To support this effort, DEC works with DOH and numerous entities, including local health departments, drinking water providers and authorities, and federal, state, county, and municipal governments to protect and clean up groundwater.
Additional Resources
The school community will be informed on progress to reduce the PFOA and PFOS levels and when the water is deemed acceptable for all uses.
· General information is available at Westchester County at 914-813-5000
As of today, New York has administered seven million vaccine shots to eligible New Yorkers, which is great progress.
Earlier today, I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church vaccination site to help spread a key message that all the vaccines work, all of them are safe and New Yorkers should take whatever vaccine they can as soon as they can.
We will continue to move our vaccination progress forward as fast as supply allows but as soon as you are eligible, get any of the three vaccines—they are safe and effective. Protect yourself and your family.
Photo of the Day: Today I got my shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,624. Of the 263,401 tests reported yesterday, 8,976, or 3.41 percent, were positive. There were 954 patients in ICU yesterday, up 11 from the previous day. Of them, 601 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 54 New Yorkers to the virus.
(Editor’s Note:In Westchester County , 422 new persons tested positive for Covid out of 10,960 tested, an infection rate of 3.9%.
In 8 days since last Tuesday 3,029 Westchester residents tested positive for covid, an average of 378 a Day.
If the last hospitalization rate given by County officials (4.3%) has not gone down substantially, this means that the hospitals in Westchester will face 240 person of those 3,029 new infections being sick enough to be hospitalized for Covid within the next 15 days. )
(More Editor’s Note: The towns and cities with the most new covid cases IN WESTCHESTER in the two weeks since March 2, through March 15 are:
1-YONKERS–1,312, 93 A DAY
2-MOUNT VERNON– 476, 34 A DAY
3- NEW ROCHELLE — 450, 32 A DAY
4–WHITE PLAINS– 288, 20 A DAY
5-TOWN OF GREENBURGH– 196, 14 A DAY
6- TARRYTOWN & SLEEPY HOLLOW) 140, 10 A DAY
7. HARRISON–176, 13 A DAY
8,CORTLANDT–163, 12 A DAY
9. YORKTOWN– 162, 12 A DAY
10. PORT CHESTER–144, 10 A DAY
11. THE OSSININGS– 126, 9 A DAY
12–PEEKSKILL– 109, 8 A DAY
2. As of 11am this morning, 23.5 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 148,564 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 7,003,834 total doses with 12.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Appointments are now available at ten new state-run mass vaccination sites across the state.
All ten sites will open on Friday, March 19, and will operate from 8:00am to 7:00pm daily. Each site will have the ability to vaccinate more than one thousand New Yorkers daily dependent on supply from the federal government. Appointments at the sites located in New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Western New York regions available for booking today at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
4. Indoor fitness classes can resume at limited capacity on March 22. Indoor fitness classes can begin reopening statewide at 33 percent capacity with health screening and contact information required at sign-in. Classes should be scheduled to allow additional time for cleaning and disinfection between sessions. Local health departments shall inspect before or within 2 weeks of the fitness center opening to ensure compliance.
5. Beginning April 5, the 11pm curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11pm curfew for food and beverage establishments and the midnight curfew for catered events will remain in effect. Both curfews will be re-evaluated in late April.
WPCNR WESTCHESTER LAW JOURNAL.From the Westchester County Department of Communications. March 17, 2021:
With hate crimes on the rise in the region and bias incidents occurring in local communities, Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah are urging Westchester County residents to speak up.
The two are together launching the #SpeakUpWestchester campaign, and encouraging those who are the victim or witness a hate crime, bias or hate incident to report it.
To encourage more reporting the Westchester County Human Rights Commission has launched a new webpage to report incidents of bias hate or discrimination anonymously (or with your contact information) at www.westchestergov.com/biasreporting
Additionally, Rocah has launched a new hotline where a victim or witnesses of a hate crime or bias incident can report it to the Westchester County District Attorney at 914-995-TIPS (914-995-8477) or through their website at www.WestchesterDA.net. Experienced Assistant District Attorneys will follow up all tips and complaints received.
Latimer said: “Westchester County takes all incidents of violence and hate seriously. We condemn any act that targets a person or group of people because of their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or other protected category. Recently, Asian Americans have been targeted around the country- and it must stop.”
Rocah: “Hate crimes and bias incidents impact all of us, because they create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that keeps us from feeling safe and secure in our homes and communities. The District Attorney’s office is committed to working in close coordination with law enforcement, the County Human Rights Commission and community groups to fight hate and bias in Westchester. Reporting hate crimes and bias incidents helps us in that fight, and our new hotline is another way to let us know quickly and easily if you have been a victim of a crime or have witnessed a crime.”
While hate incidents do not always violate the law, they should always be reported by those targeted and bystanders.
If you need emergency assistance call 911
If you were the victim of a violent attack, call your local police department.
If you were the victim of an incident of bias, hate or discrimination, call the Westchester County Human Rights Commission (914) 995-7710 or email at HumanRights@westchestergov.com.
Alternatively, you may report incidents of bias, hate, or discrimination anonymously (or with your contact information) at www.westchestergov.com/biasreporting
If you are a victim or witnesses of a hate crime or bias incident call (914) 995-TIPS or visit www.WestchesterDA.net
Latimer said: “We applaud the leadership of the District Attorney on this important topic. Westchester County is a striking tapestry of people from all different walks-of-life, who hold different values, who love different people and who have ancestors from different countries – we must never forget that these differences are what make us the Westchester we call home.”
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER,From Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Benjamin Boykin. March 16, 2021:
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law by President Biden earlier this month, includes nearly $440 million in direct funding for Westchester County and our municipalities, to help our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Separately, the plan also includes money for local school districts; transportation, including our buses and airport; businesses; individuals; and COVID testing and vaccination; as well as for New York State.
Westchester County will receive $187.64 million.
Westchester’s cities and towns together will receive more than $250 million.
Regulations are still being determined, but generally the money for municipalities can be used:
Regulations are still being determined, but generally the money for municipalities can be used: for costs associated with responding to the pandemic, to support essential workers, to cover revenue losses caused by COVID-19, and to make necessary infrastructure investments.
In addition, the Small Business Administration also has information about the relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries under the American Rescue Plan.
